Reviews

"A value for money suburb on the Lake's border with recreational activities"

A suburb that has been evolving over the years considerably. The area consisted of mainly Housing Commission properties at one point however, slowly the Department of Housing have sold some of these properties to owner occupiers and investors resulting in the cosmetic improvement of the properties and the overall area. If you are a tenant looking for value for money, this is a great area to be viewing.

The development around Lake Illawarra with playgrounds, gym equipment and skate park as well as bike tracks, walking tracks, Rowing & Yacht Club have seen water & skate lovers, fitness minded people, families and friends enjoy the area, hopefully for many more years to come!

"Definetly better than it used to be!!!"

I was born and bred in Berkeley as was my husband, we left the area in 1988 to live in the central west, with our young family. We have been back in the Illawarra now for 3 years and bought a house in another suburb (Dapto). We have now moved back to Berkeley and think it is a far better suburb, we absolutly love it. It is so close to everything, very central and I think no worse than any other area of wollongong, as you get bad pockets in every suburb, as we have found when looking to buy a house. I think when people stay in one area all their lives they don't appreciate what's around them. It's easy to bad mouth an area if you look for all the negitives instead of the positives,

FergieIt's 5 years, and there 2011 census occurs on Tuesday 9th August.

It will be interesting to see changes to all our suburbs, though it will be some time before the results are collated and can be published.

In 2010 I put my house up for sale, and noticed real estate agents were using demogratic figures different to those I obtained from WCC and the ABS website. Where are they getting them for goodness sake?

It didn't sell. Only one offer and it was too low!

2yrs+

Lindsay BegleyIf you are still interested in moving we would love to help?

2yrs+

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Review written via Homely.com.auThe opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual reviewer and not those of Ray White.Report

"A lovely place to live"

I moved to Berkeley from Queensland, absolutely love the climate, the area in which we purchased our house is great, houses are still very affordable compared to other areas. There are small convienence stores close by, service stations, schools, and within walking distance to Lake Illawarra. I would highly recommend Berkeley to anyone wishing to get into the realestate market, this place has many rewards on offer, could never go wrong with realestate in this area. The average medium house price is rising all the time.

"Hidden little gem"

I think with all places there are good and bad but it has certainly started cleaning itself up in recent years. Violence is minimal for a city suburb. The nice views of the lake and mountains make it an enjoyable place to live in itself. Nice parks and walkways along the lake to keep fit. Great if you have a car as the freeway is very accessible.

"Very Friendly and Affordable"

Fantastic suburb for families and children, close to transport and freeways that take you directly up and down the coast! Great area. A very reliable source also tells me that the old Berkeley Mobil Service Station will be demolished very early 2011 to make way for a brand new Seven Eleven Convenience Store and Petrol Station! Fantastic News for local residents...

LoveBerkeleyI have been told by a very reliable source that the old petrol station on the corner of Nolan and Northcliffe Drive will be demolished in early 2010 to make way for a Seven Eleven Convenience Store and Petrol Station! This is fantastic news for Berkeley residents!

2yrs+

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Review written via Homely.com.auThe opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual reviewer and not those of Ray White.Report

"Good Place to buy and live"

Berkeley is a very pretty area by Lake Illawarra, with beautiful walking track around lake. (Does not smell). Most houses are very well kept (I have lived here for 46 years).

Shopping is good in Berkeley with BiLo, Butchers, Cake shop and eating places. It is also close to major shopping centres, e.g. Warrawong, Dapto and Wollongong, with good bus service.
Excellent Medical Centre, good schools, all within walking distance.
Entertainment for all the family at club and hotel. Also for children, netball centre, swimming pool, football grounds.

An ideal place for families with little children, and housing affordable.

FergieThank you willpander.. couldn't have put it better myself.
Addendum:
The Illa Sports High Sch is only one of 6 in NSW.
Aisha's Seafood and Fish Market and Berkeley Cakes both won WCC local business awards in recent years.
Two clubs - quite different from each other.
Farmers & Craft Markets monthly at the German Club
The private Gym in Kelly St closed, possibly through lack of clients, but I believe the BS & S has a gym.
There's sport of all kinds: Basketball, Netball, Baseball, football [various codes], bowls, and Midnight Basketball runs sessions here. There's a sailing, canoe, swimming and pony clubs.
Kembla Grange Racecourse, not just racing, but exhibitions of all sorts,
The Links Golf range close by.
The shared cycle/walking path around the lake.
There's the swimmiing pool - free entry. It has no website or email contact, so.
Churches: Catholic, Berkeley Life Centre [Anglicans], Salvation Army.
Good little shopping Centre with easy access from the car park - in my view not enough local use it.
Great Medical Centre and Chemist, pathology.

2yrs+

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Review written via Homely.com.auThe opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual reviewer and not those of Ray White.Report

"Avoid at all costs"

The area is run down and to put it simply, a slum. Owners seem to think it is council pickup everyday, used bed mattresses are littered on the front yards of homes along with an assortment of other garbage. Every morning you are hit with an awful smell of the rotting lake, and as you prepare to leave for work you are afraid to step outside as gangs of youths run rampant on the street.

Shops are close by, but unfortunately these are all out of business and closed. Sirens from emergency services can be heard all night as the area has a high crime rate.

cherriUnfortunatley some of berkeley may be like this ,but Regancy heights and a few other housing estates on the outskirts are also classed under berkeley. So to put down all of berkeley would be a be a bad statement,because Regency heights has magnificents lake views , is quite and is a friendly neighbourhood.I'm guessing that the slum your talking about is probabley Some of the housing commission .It is also probabley a majority of TENANTS and not home owners who leave out all that stuff all the time . Home owners tend to look after their properties,Simply for the fact that one day when we have to sell, it is in our best interest the keep our properties looking great .All the businesses are not closed. There is a Bi-Lo,bakery, butchers , small superemarkets ,a couple of bottle shops, hairdressers and take away shops plus more also in the area .The Berkeley Pub has picked up ALOT over the past years with modern decor and freindly staff.It also has some FANTASTIC food there at a great price, even buy get 1 free deals and many other specials .So please DON'T put down all berkeley of just because you may have had a bad experience. As the Quote goes "You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover" certainley comes into mind when you talk about berkeley as a whole

2yrs+

bradys1CHERRI:-......I totally agree with every word you have said,i have also left feedback on berkeley,I have lived in many states of australia as i traveled with my children before they started high school,and trust me berkeley is a good place to live..You get ur good and bad everywhere..And also as it is said......there's always a bad worm in the can that spoils it for everyone.So dont judge berkeley..Also a reply to PABLO... the sirens yes i hear them i live right along the lake but what do you xpect when you live on a main road the police and ambulance cars have to travell somewhere you would be having a windge more if they where flying through the streets of berkeley weaving in and out and a chance of running pple over.If Pablo wonts totoal peace maybe they should have moved in the bush or remote area..

2yrs+

rebel2506Well Pablo all I can say is thank god a whinger like you has moved out of Berkeley. i have lived here all of my life and it is no worse than any other suburb in this area. All suburbs have there good and there bad points. I point out to Cherri however that not ALL TENANTS treat their rental properties with disrespect. I treasure the fact that someone has enough trust in me and my family to let me stay in a house that they have worked hard to provide. I treat my landlords property with respect and keep it as I would keep it if I myself owned it. i was born here and have since stayed and then chosen to raise my own family here. people like you Pablo could bring the reputation of any suburb down. How long did you live here anyway 5 mins ???..Oh and the sirens Pablo are usually passing through Berkeley along Lake Illawarra foreshore on their way to somewhere else not here. And the lake does not smell any longer, since the lake Lake Entrance opening at Windang it has become an especially nice area to take an afternoon stroll or sit with the kids at the park. I would suggest Pablo as bradys1 says maybe you would be better to take up lodgings in the bush or perhaps the outback..

2yrs+

FergieWhat a downer! Take off your blinkers, and cast aside your prejudices. Name one suburb which does not have problems [it would have to be called Nirvana, or Heaven, or Utopia]
This is the world we live in. Make the best of it, and where possible, improve it.

2yrs+

FergieAt any one time, there are usually 10 - 20 houses for sale in Berkeley. Most reasonably priced, manyare ex DOH brick veneers. The old fibros are disappearing as they are sold off, and someone buys them for the land, and builds something more modern and convenient - and, hopefully, more environmentally friendly.
Go to any of the real estate lists. A great place for first home buyers because of price AND there are lots of schools including the Illawarra Sports High School, one of only 6 in NSW.

2yrs+

Fergie... and I forgot the WCC local business awards.
Berkeley Cake Shop and Aisha's Seafoods have both received awards in recent years.

2yrs+

HWMost of the homes on the southern side of Northcliff Drive reflect the pride of the owners who have "done them up" They are neat and tidy and their proximity to the lake and the surrounding park and sporting grounds is certainly appealing. The new homes up the hill are pleasant as well, some with views of the lake. It is a pity that the suburb is dragged down by SOME of the residents in the "Houso" flats and townhouses. These people are feral and have many drug and the related social issues that accompany this sector of the community.